Obama calls on Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine’s border
By Ernesto Londoño, WashPost, Published: March 28 | Updated: Saturday, March 29, 5:35 AM
President Obama called on Russia on Friday to pull back tens of thousands of troops massed along its border with Ukraine, as U.S. officials said they have grown increasingly concerned that the size and makeup of the force could portend a new Russian attempt to annex swaths of its neighbor.
In recent days, Russia has deployed sustainment units in addition to combat forces to border areas and has taken steps to conceal some of the contingents, U.S. officials said. Speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence assessments, U.S. officials added that they have seen no evidence to corroborate Russia’s assurances that the soldiers are there solely to conduct training exercises.
In a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, Obama urged Russia to “avoid further provocations, including the buildup of forces on its border with Ukraine,” a White House statement said.
Putin called Obama on Friday to discuss how to pursue a “diplomatic resolution” to the crisis in Ukraine, the statement said. Obama suggested that Russia “put a concrete response in writing” to a U.S. proposal presented to the Russians this week, and the presidents agreed that Secretary of State John F. Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov “would meet to discuss next steps,” the White House said.
(More here.)
President Obama called on Russia on Friday to pull back tens of thousands of troops massed along its border with Ukraine, as U.S. officials said they have grown increasingly concerned that the size and makeup of the force could portend a new Russian attempt to annex swaths of its neighbor.
In recent days, Russia has deployed sustainment units in addition to combat forces to border areas and has taken steps to conceal some of the contingents, U.S. officials said. Speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence assessments, U.S. officials added that they have seen no evidence to corroborate Russia’s assurances that the soldiers are there solely to conduct training exercises.
In a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, Obama urged Russia to “avoid further provocations, including the buildup of forces on its border with Ukraine,” a White House statement said.
Putin called Obama on Friday to discuss how to pursue a “diplomatic resolution” to the crisis in Ukraine, the statement said. Obama suggested that Russia “put a concrete response in writing” to a U.S. proposal presented to the Russians this week, and the presidents agreed that Secretary of State John F. Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov “would meet to discuss next steps,” the White House said.
(More here.)
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